Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

This weekend we observe Catechetical Sunday. This is a way for us as a parish to recognize the hard work and dedication of the teachers in our school and the many volunteers who step forward to assist both in the Summer Religious Education Academy and the traditional programs throughout the year. The prayer of blessing, recognition by those assembled at the 9:30 am Mass, and Knights of Columbus breakfast, do not even touch the amount of debt and gratitude that we as a parish owe to them for their commitment. I want to thank Mrs. Lori McCahill who oversees the catechetical programs for the school and Mrs. Nancy Arkin who serves as parish Director of Faith Formation. Nancy not only oversees all of the teachers and the programs, including most of those listed below, but she is also responsible for the adult faith formation programs of our parish. Much planning and logistical work goes in to making this a success.

Mr. Ciro Saverino coordinates many volunteers for the Confirmation program and organizes the youth and young adult groups for the parish. Mrs. Rosemarie Hoye serves as the instructor for those students who are in our Holy Innocents program. That is not always an easy task, but she does it well and with much grace and love. Mrs. Marie Costa handles the students who for whatever reasons need to make-up lost time in religious education. Again, this requires a lot of one-on-one work and she enjoys doing it and does it well. Mrs. Loretta Assini is our dedicated admin for the programs. Other forms of parish catechesis include preparation for the Sacraments, especially baptism and holy matrimony, Mrs. Margaret Roddy works carefully with the parents of those to be baptized and Mrs. Lori McCahill faithfully prepares couples to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Both can be time-consuming and very demanding, yet they do it so well and effectively.

Deacon Paul Remick coordinates the R.C.I.A. programs for the parish. We do not often realize how many layers of religious education/faith formation there are within our parish. Each one of them deserves our gratitude, support and prayers. I would be remiss if I did not also mention parishioner Mrs. Denise Contino who is the Diocesan Director of Catechesis. She still volunteers here besides serving the diocesan church. I am always grateful for her insights and assistance.

The business of September is beginning to show itself in earnest. It is good to be able to report that school activities are back to normal after two-and one-half years. Many of the activities that had been suspended are back now in full force. The school will be doing the musical production in the spring that was scheduled for the spring of 2020. Likewise, children’s choirs, music lessons, and athletic activities are back in swing. This feels good for everyone concerned and it is a real blessing for the students, teachers, and parents alike.

We also have several weddings on the calendar, along with the kick-off for the Confirmation program, including their retreat. If you have an eighth grader and have yet to register for the Confirmation program, please make arrangements soon as classes begin on October 9!

We had our first 5:00 pm Sunday Mass last weekend and, with ninety-one people in attendance, we feel like we are off to a good beginning for this initiative. Once the Confirmation Sunday evening classes begin we are hoping for even more people to be present for the Mass.

We are still looking for individuals who are open to serving as Special Ministers of Holy Communion at any of the four residential health care facilities served by our parish: BayShore Health Care Center, The Willows, Anchor Care, and now also The Villas of Holmdel. We celebrate Mass in each facility once a month on consecutive Wednesdays. Please consider assisting with Communion at these locations on a Sunday.

Have a blessed week ahead,
Fr. Garry